Manchester City faces stern UEFA Europa League test

Manchester City will face their biggest UEFA Europa League test to date when they take on FC Schalke in Germany tonight.

City, flying high after their brilliant 3 goal demolition of Arsenal in the Premiership last weekend, will go into the match without talisman strike Robinho, who suffered an ankle injury during Saturday’s match.

City manager Mark Hughes has singled Schalke out as the team his club will need to beat if they are to progress to the next round of the UEFA Europa League. Schalke are currently 1 point ahead of City in Group A and are coming into the match on the back of an impressive performance in the Bundesliga on the weekend.

“They play in a strong league and have good ability in their team and squad,” Hughes said. “We’ve had them watched in recent games and are very impressed with their presence. They had a good result at the weekend and they will be confident.”

Hughes has already declared his intent to take Manchester City to the final of the 2008/2009 UEFA Europa League, believing his side now has the funds and players to dominate on the European stage.

“We have fantastic owners now so in the future big European nights are something we want to experience on a regular basis,” Hughes told the Guardian. “We want to see if we can go all the way this year, as the ambition of the club is huge.”